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Re: 1958 "desk computer" Royal Precision LGP-30

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On 14/12/2015 1:31 PM, hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote:
> CA-01-1958 had an ad for desk computer.  I believe this computer
> turned out to be pretty popular.
>
> IBM also had a similar model, the 610, but that was not very
> popular.
>
> This was made by Royal McBee, who at the time was a large light
> business machine company.
>
> The illustration for the ad included the atomic graphic-- electrons
> spinning around a nucleus.  This graphic was widely used in that era
> as part of computer advertising. RCA used it into the 1960s.
>
> HIGH-SPEED COMPUTATION AT THE LOWEST COST EVER FOR A COMPLETE
> COMPUTER SYSTEM
>
> No more waiting in line for those answers you need! No more lost time
> in executing preliminary calculations or modifying equations! Not
> with the LGP-30! Wheeled right to your desk, operated from a regular
> wall outlet, LGP-30 allows you to follow your work personally from
> beginning to end ... to change formulae on the spot ... to simulate
> optimum designs without weeks of mathematical analysis. Thus you get
> faster answers ... added time for creative work.
>
> Easy to use. LGP-30 is a general-purpose storedprogram computer -
> internally binary, serial, single address. Just the few orders in the
> command structure give complete internal programming. Controls are
> so simplified, you get an "overnight" feel for your computer.
>
> Unusual memory capacity. With a magnetic drum memory of 4096 words,
> LGP-30 is the most powerful computer of its size yet developed. Fully
> automatic,,-it executes self-modifying programs.
>
> Exceptional versatility and value. Both the scope of LGP-30's
> applications and the range of calculations it can perform are almost
> limitless. It gives speed and memory equal to computers many times
> its size and cost, yet initial investment is the smallest ever for a
> complete computer. Maintenance costs are extremely low ... service
> facilities available coast-to-coast.
>
> Outstanding features of LGP-30-----. * Alpha-numeric input-output via
> electric typewriter or punched paper tape. * Optional input-output
> equipment available. * Unusually large memory - 4096 words. * Library
> of sub-routines ... programs for wide variety of applications.·
> Mobile ..* no expensive installation ... self-cooled. * Nation-wide
> sales and service.
>
> ROYAL MCBEE Port Chester, NY
>
> bitsavers on it
> http://bitsavers.informatik.uni-stuttgart.de/pdf/royalPrecision/LGP-30/
>
>
In the mid 60's I had an American sculpture friend that decided that
Canada was a better place to live with a low draft number than the US
for the duration of some almost forgotten disagreement in Southeast Asia.

He bought a junked LPG-30 and I spent evenings with him for a few weeks
taking it apart and working to use the drum as sequencer for an animated
sculpture. In the end we used the drum to record tones that drove the
rest of the sculpture control.

I have been following a discussion on comp.arch about ISA design and
instruction fetch time. Glad we have moved away from the latency of a
memory fetch waiting for the drum to come round.

w..

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1958 "desk computer"  Royal Precision LGP-30 hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com - 2015-12-14 10:31 -0800
  Re: 1958 "desk computer"  Royal Precision LGP-30 "Charles Richmond" <numerist@aquaporin4.com> - 2015-12-14 13:09 -0600
    Re: 1958 "desk computer"  Royal Precision LGP-30 Quadibloc <jsavard@ecn.ab.ca> - 2015-12-14 17:00 -0800
      Re: 1958 "desk computer"  Royal Precision LGP-30 hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com - 2015-12-15 14:43 -0800
    Re: 1958 "desk computer"  Royal Precision LGP-30 hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com - 2015-12-15 14:26 -0800
  Re: 1958 "desk computer"  Royal Precision LGP-30 Jean-Marc Bourguet <jm@bourguet.org> - 2015-12-14 20:28 +0100
  Re: 1958 "desk computer" Royal Precision LGP-30 Walter Banks <walter@bytecraft.com> - 2015-12-14 16:26 -0500
    Re: 1958 "desk computer" Royal Precision LGP-30 "Osmium" <r124c4u102@comcast.net> - 2015-12-14 16:13 -0600
      Re: 1958 "desk computer" Royal Precision LGP-30 scott@slp53.sl.home (Scott Lurndal) - 2015-12-15 14:14 +0000
      Re: 1958 "desk computer" Royal Precision LGP-30 hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com - 2015-12-15 14:41 -0800
    Re: 1958 "desk computer" Royal Precision LGP-30 hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com - 2015-12-15 14:34 -0800
    Viet Nam era Selective Service lottery [Re: 1958 "desk computer" Royal Precision LGP-30] Rich Alderson <news@alderson.users.panix.com> - 2015-12-15 19:39 -0500
  Re: 1958 "desk computer"  Royal Precision LGP-30 "m. thompson" <michael.99.thompson@gmail.com> - 2015-12-15 16:41 -0800
  Re: 1958 "desk computer"  Royal Precision LGP-30 rpw3@rpw3.org (Rob Warnock) - 2015-12-16 16:18 +0000

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